Filming: Day 6

Highlighting the neighborhoods connected to the trail system will be another important aspect of this film, so we started the day by getting some early morning shots at La Farine Bakery.

Then, we moved up to Joaquin Miller Park where we captured a hiking tour I led for young men from Brother’s on the Rise. Background: in 2013, the Program Director at Brothers on the Rise contacted Friends of Joaquin Miller Park (FOJMP) asking if one of their members would be willing to lead some young men on a hiking tour. At the time, I was on their board, and I jumped at the chance.

But, we discovered a scheduling problem. While it is possible to take public transportation to Joaquin Miller Park, they didn’t have enough time to accommodate two bus transfers to and from the redwoods. I proposed a “transportation grant” program to FOJMP, and they agreed to fund the cost of a passenger van rental for the youth organization. Problem solved. The youth had an efficient mode of transportation to the trailhead so we could spend maximum time enjoying the park. Today, we continued that program and had a super fun hike with the youth from Allendale.

Special thanks go to long-term La Farine employee, John “Poopy” Olson, for hanging out with the extra equipment while we filmed the hiking tour.

We finished the day with Emily and Henry getting a taste of the amazing view from the Sunset Trail near Castle Dr. If you’ve never experienced this vista, contact me and I’ll help you find it.

Brothers on the Rise is a dual direct service-systems change organization which responsibly empowers male youth to achieve individual success, develop healthy relationships and contribute to a more just and equitable society. We accomplish this through comprehensive gender-responsive, culturally appropriate, preventive, pipeline programs that directly serve boys and young men of color. We also provide capacity building for schools, nonprofits and public agencies through training, coaching, curriculum development, consulting, convening, research and writing – all empowering the community towards more effective and equitable practice. Through these programs, BOTR and its partners help to raise, educate and develop boys into responsible, peaceful, caring and productive young men. Brothers on the Rise is based in Oakland with programs impacting youth, families, teachers and providers throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

Friends of Joaquin Miller Park (FOJMP) are hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, dog owners, cross country runners, historians, writers, and neighbors — all dedicated to maintaining, preserving and enhancing the rich natural legacy that was originally the home of the late 19th Century poet and environmentalist, Joaquin Miller. FOJMP is sponsored by Oakland Parks & Recreation Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit corporation in Oakland, CA. Join today!